thegoofeedude

Awesome, thanks dude . I've seen trialsin.com, but it's surprisingly un-maintained (broken html all over the place). I wonder if there's any affiliation with the shop you gave me, which looked pretty good. I also know of webcyclery.com, and that's the only other shop I know of in the US. It's sad trials is so small here .

I've just taken my old Monty X-Alp out of the storage shed to see if it still rides . I took the rear wheel off to tighten the nuts on the axle so that the rear wheel wouldn't be wobbly. I decided to take them completely off to see how things looked in the bearings, and the grease is old and dirty (dust and grit and bits stuck in it) so I've decided to degrease and regrease the bearings. I don't really know what I'm doing, and I don't know what weight grease to buy. Any tips? I've got a hunch that grease is just grease, and it doesn't matter too much, but I'd like to hear from someone who knows . Also, is there anyone in the US who knows of a good online trials shop here?

Just wondering if the horizontal dropouts would cause break setup problems. By the time your chain has stretched and you moved the wheel back, you'd have to redo your break setup?

I think that balance is a major factor. If you've ever seen a child learning to walk, their knees are tense, and their thigh move their legs in really fast, jerky motions to stay upright. With trials, you are learning new balance skills. Your body goes on "high alert" trying to keep you upright--huge jerky motions at the last second to keep from falling over. Over time, your body learns the balance point, and it takes a fraction of the effort to stay upright. I think smaller, finer muscle control develops, taking the bulk of balance work from the large, power muscle groups (hip flexors and supporting muscles as opposed to full on thigh and calf effort.) Thus the more experienced rider are so much more smooth and relaxed on their bike. Not to say psychological factors aren't a huge factor. I've been riding trials for about 5 or 6 years now, and I am still about at the skill level as someone riding for about 4-6 months who is a faster learner and less scared of falling then I am. Good topic.

I voted for "old school" only for the reason of the happy memories it brings for me, and the truth is I'm not technically that old school! I first discovered biketrials in 1999, after I met a friend who rode some awesome moto trials. I started copying his moves on my Mongoose D40r series heavy-as-heck dual suspension mountain bike from Wal-Mart. I remember the awe I had when watching my friend ride moto trials, and how cool bunnyhopping was, and just how cool and collected and badass you looked when you did a trackstand on anything. So even though I wasn't around biketrials in the 80's or early 90's, I still think I am an old school rider just because I discovered biketrials the way the original biketrialers did- an extension of motorcycle trials. I remember how excited I was when I finally got the money to buy my first "real" trials bike- a Monty X-Alp with Vee brakes. Back then, hopping up a picnic table was the paramount of awesome riding ability. Mike Bentham was continually blowing me away with his moves on his Brisa stock at Miketrials.com. Watching anybody hop anything more than 26" seriously left me speechless. Now I ride a really short stock frame (not even really "trials" by todays standards, a Giant STP) and I am no where near as good as I should be for the time I've spent riding. But I'm having fun, and can finally hop up a picnic table . I definitely think new school has awesome things going for it. I remember when I first found trials-forum and was blown away at how many vids were available! Over here in the US the trials scene is still so tiny, I'm sure it's a lot like trials 4 or 5 years ago for where many of you are. I still have never happened across another trials rider when I am out riding... ever. I really can't wait for the scene to grow here so that there will be "new school" here. Anyway, that's a lot of rambling, great topic. Love trials, new and old.

My "Desktop" (I couldn't figure out how to use the thumbnail thing...?) This is blackbox on Ubuntu Linux. Very quick and minimal. I use it when I am in a hurry and want a fast start up time, but most of the time in Ubuntu, I use Gnome . It is fun to play with blackbox, as all the menus are custom, as is the theme (modified from a standard theme by me.)

Evo VIII, for sure http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-ga...lambo#more-1705

You rock Thanks a million, that puzzle was giving me way too much pain

http://www.teagames.com/games/blueprint/play.php Can anyone beat the second hardest level? I can't figure it out If you can do it, please post a screenshot of your setup, this puzzle is really getting to me! Thanks !

Absolutely amazing. I read the article, the whole time thinking "Big deal, we can match that acceleration on bikes." Then I looked up some standard 0-60mph and quarter mile times for people riding the Suzuki Hayabusa. This car would win every race! More acceleration, higher top speed! Amazing. EDIT: Found more times on 0-60mph and 1/4 mile- Looks like it's possible for the bike to beat the Veyron. But, nowhere near in top speed. Still incredible.

Perhaps just excited about riding? Sounds great! I've been riding for years and still suck . Enjoy your progress, that's great!

I had been thinking about getting a powerball, but then I wondered if you can use it with either hand? I wanted it to help strengthen my forearms and wrists, but then I thought I would only end up helping my right arm out. Those of you who have one, is it hard to do with your off hand?

About the shape of the Earth, what people say about it has bugged me for some time. From about.com: So you see the "bulge" in the earth is caused by a difference in circumference of only 67.18 km. That is only a difference of .1679%! To me that is miniscule. The whole thing about the Earth being ellipsoid is so freaking pedantic. Anyway, just my take (Y) :D Edit: The about.com article reference can be found here: http://geography.about.com/library/faq/blqzcircumference.htm

Thanks guys, looks good ^_^ :)

Hi, I am looking to invest in some high quality headphones for listening to music. I have about $60 USD to spend, and I am just wondering if anyone here had any recommendations. What's a good brand, what to watch out for, etc. I am just looking for something that gives the best listening experience I can get for the money, and I don't necessarily need noise canceling. I normally listen through a Logitech 5.1 surround system, but I don't want to bother the roommate, so that's why I am looking for headphones. Thanks for reading, and any replies! >_<

Great vid! Fun to watch, and inspiring as well. Thanks for posting that :)

I really liked the video; I thought the rider had very clean and smooth technique, and good amplitude :) . The music was alright, but did seem a little repetitive. Nice vid, and the site was nice too. Very simple and easy to navigate. :)

I think you should perhaps mess around with your current setup, and if nothing helps, then look for a different setup. I nearly quit trials when I first started riding a Monty mod, because of wrist pains. I adjusted my handlebars (only about a 15 degree change), and it completely solved the problem! The slightest adjustment may mean the difference between being perfectly comfortable, and being sore. Just mess with it, and don't give up :huh: .

Perhaps running your anti-ad and spyware in safe mode might help? Start Windows holding F8. Dunno if that helps you any :"> Good luck (Y)

Nathan - stupid as hell, and tends to make others feel dumb. What!? I totally have intellisjens (Y) :)"

Another Cool Trick of mind reading! :blink:

Literally cried laughing. Guess I kinda needed a laugh. Thanks.

I voted for the monty, but I have only ever ridden the monty, so I don't have anything to compare it too :"> . I had been riding an X-Alp for a long time, then I had a ride on the X-Lite, and it was amazing. It felt so incredibly comfortable, and so incredibly light too! Sorry if I've skewed your results, as I haven't ridden the other bikes :"> .

Wow. Very nice! Thanks for posting that. I'd love to see a demo that enthusiastic. :turned:

I don't drink when my friends do, but honestly, I enjoy it when they get drunk. They finally are as crazy as I am! :- It's weird, I think I have a gift (lol), it's almost as if I can be drunk without getting drunk. Meaning, I don't have a lot of inhibitions, I am very relaxed, things are hilarious, and I have a great time. I really think its just about letting yourself go and have a good time. One time, I just let loose and had a great time, and two different girls expressly asked if I was drunk (I hadn't had a drop). Was a little funny, but I was still having a great time (N) . I wish more people could just let go without having to rely on drinking. Ah well. Good luck man, hope you can have a good time B) .